FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA - The women's volleyball team hosted UNC Pembroke on Friday night. The Lions handed the Braves their first loss in a conference matchup this season, 3-1. The win moves Emmanuel's record to 5-9 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Pembroke had only lost one set en route to a 5-0 start in Conference Carolinas prior to falling to Emmanuel.
Emmanuel got off to a hot start, gaining the lead 7-3 early in the first set. A string of back and forth exchanges ensued until Emmanuel held onto a three point lead, 20-17. Then, sophomore Emily Hanson scored four kills, while sophomore Alaina Emminger added another as the Lions took the first set, 25-20.
The Lions led 8-6 in the second set before a kill by senior Aleksandra Hamuda and a service ace from sophomore Gabrielle McGlamery fueled a four point run that increased the lead to six. Then, with the Lions leading 20-15, two more kills from Hamuda were followed by an ace from senior Taylor Roberts, leading Emmanuel to capturing the second set by a comfortable margin, 25-18.
The Braves found some momentum early in the third set as they led 6-3. However, another kill from Hamuda and a pair of aces from Roberts and senior Hallie Richardson led to the Lions eventually tying the score at 10. The Lions etched out a one point advantage late, 21-20, but a four point run by the Braves led to them extending the match to a fourth set, 25-23.
Taylor Roberts put on a show in the fourth set, recording an incredible 10 kills. With the Braves leading 8-5, Roberts scored on three consecutive attempts to tie the set. With Emmanuel holding the advantage, 18-16, Roberts and Hamuda went back and forth, alternating scoring two kills each to increase their lead. With the score 23-20, a kill from Hamuda was followed with an error from the Braves, giving the Lions the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-0.
Taylor Roberts led the way for the Lions, finishing with 15 kills after her dominate fourth set performance. She also recorded 4 blocks, 3 digs, 2 aces, and a hitting percentage of .367. Aleksandra Hamuda followed with a double-double as she had 14 kills and 10 digs. Additionally, Hamuda had 2 blocks and an ace while hitting .387. Emily Hanson and Alaina Emminger also recorded double digit kills for the Lions with 12 and 10, respectively.
Gabrielle McGlamery finished with 46 assists and 11 digs, along with 2 aces and a kill. Kaitlyn Henderson and Hallie Richardson also recorded two services aces each.
Next up, women's volleyball will host Francis Marion University on Saturday, October 2 at 2:00pm.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
